The Quick & Dirty Way to Get Quality App Store Reviews

Do you want a quick and easy way to generate reviews in either the iTunes App Store or Google Play Stores?

Would you like to improve your App Store Optimization efforts?

App Store reviews are necessary for any successful launch, because they provide potential users with information on whether or not to download an app. The more positive reviews you can generate, the more likely a user who stumbles upon your app is to download it.

In this article, you’ll discover a quick and easy way to generate App Store reviews using a contest on TouchArcade.

#1: Sign up for TouchArcade Forums

TouchArcade covers the latest games and apps for Apple’s iPhone and iPod Touch. They are the largest site dedicated to iPhone and iPod Touch gaming.

While the website is specifically focused on gaming I have successfully run this App Store review contest for non-games.

If you don’t already have an account there, you will need to register for one. This gives you the privileges needed to post in their forums.

I would recommend commenting on a few threads, so that this contest is NOT your first post on the website.

#2: Know the Rules

Navigate to the Promo Codes and Contests subforum within TouchArcade. This is the place to provide promo codes for upcoming or newly released games and run various contests surrounding your app launch.

Here is where you will run your App Store review contest.

Before posting be sure you read through some of the rules. Here are some of the things that I see others do on other forums that are prohibited by TouchArcade:

• Don’t bump threads. This applies not only to posts that say “bump” but to those with the intent to bump.
• Don’t insult people – if you can’t keep yourself from insulting others, you don’t belong here.
• Don’t promote or spam any pledge-funding links like Kickstarter or Indiegogo. You may include a subtle link to Kickstarter in your “upcoming” thread and signature.
• No selling. Don’t promote or arrange monetary transactions via this site, as things can get messy when real money is involved. For example, no selling source code.

#3: Post Your Contest

First, you should look through some of the other App Store review contests to see how others are running them.

While the majority of the contests will be for App Store reviews, I have tried a few variations myself:

• High score contest where the two highest scores get the prize.
• Promo code giveaway where I post 20 promo codes for early access to a new game.

I typically do two $25 iTunes Gift Cards or $25 via PayPal, which usually yields about 15-25 reviews. However, if you need more reviews, you should consider either more winners or a higher value prize.

If you look at the screenshot below, you’ll find that the more prize money available, the higher the views and replies to a thread.

In terms of what you put on your post, here is the template that I use when running this contest. Feel free to adjust to your needs:

What is up everyone!

Just released {App Name}.

{screenshot link}

Review and rate the game for $25 (PayPal or iTunes Gift Card). There will be two winners.

Here is the rules:

1) Download the game

{app store link}

2) Leave a review on the App Store

3) Reply this topic with your username and the country of the Apple Store you reviewed it in.

– 2 Winners
– Payment will be made via PayPal or iTunes Gift Card
– Contest ends at November 7th at 11:59pm PST
– Winner will be decided on November 10th using www.randomresult.com
– The result will be published here for verification.

Thanks! Have fun!

#4: Select Your Winner(s)

Participants of your contest will leave their iTunes user names as replies to your thread. Once your contest is over, you will need to compile all the iTunes user names into a text file with each user name on its own line.

Then go over to RandomResult.com and click on the “Pick items” link. Next copy and paste all the iTunes user names into the text field.

You need to change the number of winners to whatever you had in the contest.

Finally, click on the “Draw Now” button to randomly pick your winners. Take a screenshot of the winner screen and reply to your contest thread announcing the winners.

#5: Send Your Prizes

After announcing the winners, you will need to private message each winner. I typically let them choose between an iTunes gift card or PayPal transfer, so my private message to the winners asks for two things:

1. Choose a prize: PayPal or iTunes gift card
2. What is your email address?

The winners are usually quick to reply so make sure you check the forums later that day or the next day. They WILL get on your case if you do NOT pick a winner or pay up in a timely manner.

Conclusion

App Store Reviews are vital to the success of your app. They act as a signal to potential customers that your app is worth downloading.

Using the strategy outlined above, you will be able to generate quality App Store reviews in a matter of days.